Systems and methods for moving a baby container

ABSTRACT

Systems and related methods are delineated for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a provided position. One of the disclosed systems may comprise an elastic supporter for suspending the provided baby container from the provided position, and a driver for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter. The driver may comprise any structure suitable for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for relaxing babies, and more particularly, to systems and methods for moving a baby container to relax a baby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of containers exist for supporting, containing and/or retaining a baby. As used herein, the term “container” means any structure suitable for supporting, containing and/or retaining a baby. As used herein, the term “baby” means a human child of any age, though typically under the age of five years. Thus, as used herein, the term “baby container” means any structure suitable for supporting, containing and/or retaining a human child of any age. For example, a baby container may comprise: (1) a baby basinet, (2) a baby bouncer seat, (3) a baby carriage, (4) a baby chair or seat for use in a vehicle, e.g., a car seat for a baby, (5) a baby cradle, (6) a baby crib, (7) a baby jumper, (8) a baby stroller, (9) a baby swing and/or (10) any other structure suitable for supporting, containing and/or retaining a baby.

Controlled movement of a baby container may have desirable effects on a baby in the baby container. For example, such desirable effects may include calming a baby that for any reason is not calm, e.g. due to any illness and/or any unfulfilled need, and/or helping a baby fall asleep. Accordingly, a wide variety of baby containers include moving mechanisms. However, none of the known baby containers provides, individually or collectively, a system for moving a baby container suspended above ground, as disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a system is disclosed for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a provided position, the system comprising an elastic supporter for suspending the provided baby container from the provided position, and a driver for providing oscillating force along the supporter.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system is disclosed for moving a provided baby, the system comprising a baby container for containing the provided baby, an elastic supporter for suspending the baby container from a provided position, and a driver for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a system is disclosed for moving a provided baby, the system comprising a baby container for containing the provided baby, a support structure including a position from which the baby container is suspended above ground, an elastic supporter for suspending the baby container from the position, and a driver for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a provided position, the method comprising suspending the provided baby container from the provided position with an elastic supporter, and providing from a driver oscillating force along the elastic supporter.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an elevational view of one embodiment of a system for moving a baby container, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an elevational view of another embodiment of a system for moving a baby container, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 1C is an elevational view of another embodiment of a system for moving a baby container, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an elevational view of a driver system for moving a baby container, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the driver system, taken from the line A-A of FIG. 2A, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3E are elevational views showing operation of the driver system of FIG. 2A, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an embodiment is shown of a system 10A for moving a container 20 (and a baby 22) that may be suspended from a suspension point 14 above ground (hereafter, “container 20” is understood to contain baby 22). System 10A may include one or more elastic supporters 16 for suspending container 20 and a driver 18 for providing oscillating force along the one or more elastic supporters 16.

Suspension point 14 may be provided by any connector suitable for suspending a desired load, including system 10A. For example, suspension point 14 may comprise a hook, such as a Crawford SS18-250 threaded hook, securely anchored to an upper surface 12, as may be provided by one or more support members for a ceiling.

The one or more elastic supporters 16 may comprise one or more of any structure suitable for suspending container 20 above ground from suspension point 14 and permitting an up-and-down motion of container 20, without having container 20 hit the ground. For example, the one or more elastic supporters 16 may comprise one or more elastic lines, such as one or more bungee cords, e.g., one or more Blue Ridge bungee cords available from Mavin-Quill & Company of Clarington, Pa.

Assuming for purposes of illustration that the one or more elastic supporters 16 comprise one or more bungee cords, hook-type fasteners are typically included on each end of the one or more bungee cords for attaching the ends of each bungee cord to one or more desired objects. Though hook-type fasteners are typically included on the ends of a bungee cord, any means suitable for attaching the ends of one or more bungee cords to one or more desired objects may be employed, including tying the ends of each bungee cord to one or more desired objects. Moreover, it is not necessary to attach the ends of a bungee cord to one or more desired objects, i.e., one or more attachment points may be provided anywhere along the length of a bungee cord.

Assuming for purposes of illustration that the one or more elastic supporters 16 comprise one or more bungee cords with hook-type fasteners on each end, a hook-type fastener on one end of each bungee cord may be attached to suspension point 14, while a hook-type fastener on the other end of each bungee cord may be attached to container 20. Any means suitable for attaching driver 18 to the one or more bungee cords may be employed, e.g., a clamp attached to driver 18 and clamped around one or more portions of the one or more bungee cords. This arrangement of attaching driver 18 to the one or more bungee cords presupposes that the one or more bungee cords are attached to suspension point 14 and container 20. In a different arrangement, an upper group of one or more bungee cords may be attached to suspension point 14 and driver 18, while a lower group of one or more bungee cords may be attached to driver 18 and container 20. In the latter arrangement, one or more connection points may be provided on driver 18 for attaching to both the upper and lower groups of one or more bungee cords.

Driver 18 may comprise any structure suitable for providing oscillating force along the one or more elastic supporters 16. The oscillating force may provide force in an alternating pattern up and down along the one or more elastic supporters 16, thereby causing container 20 to move in an up-and-down motion, substantially along an axis extending from suspension point 14 through the center of gravity of container 20 to the ground. Driver 18 may include any means suitable for selectively controlling one or more parameters related to the oscillating force.

For example, driver 18 may include one or more user-adjustable inputs to one or more controllers, e.g. dials providing one or more inputs to one or more controllers, for selectively controlling the amplitude, frequency and/or phase of the oscillating force. Using such means for selectively controlling one or more parameters related to the oscillating force, a user may control one or more parameters related to the displacement of container 20. For example, a user may adjust one or more inputs to driver 18 to control the distance traversed in a full cycle of the up-and-down motion of container 20 and/or the speed of travel for container 20. A full cycle of the up-and-down motion of container 20 may comprise a travel distance of anywhere in the range of approximately one to forty inches, inclusively. When driver 18 does not include means for selectively controlling one or more parameters related to the oscillating force, driver 18 may be preset to provide a predefined oscillating force.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an alternative embodiment is shown of a system 10B for moving container 20 that may be suspended from suspension point 14 above ground. System 10B is identical to system 10A, except that driver 18 may be attached below container 20 using any suitable means for attachment.

Referring to FIG. 1C, an alternative embodiment is shown of a system 10C for moving container 20 that may be suspended from suspension point 14 above ground. System 10C is identical to system 10A, except that suspension point 14 is provided by a support structure 24, i.e., any support structure that is (1) suitable for holding a predefined load, including container 20 and driver 18 and (2) does not include part of a building structure, e.g., a house. Additionally, system 10C may attach driver 18 below container 20, as in system 10B.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment of driver 18 for providing oscillating force along the one or more elastic supporters 16, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, portions of a housing 26 are removed to show that this embodiment of driver 18 may include one or more motors 44 and a plurality of gears 28-38. Driver 18 may be enclosed by housing 26, which has portions removed in FIGS. 2A and 2B to show the inner portions of driver 18. As shown in FIG. 2B, housing 26 may include a support member 27 and connectors 29, as well as any other structure suitable for housing driver 18. The one or more motors 44 may comprise one or more of any motor suitable to rotate the plurality of gears 28-38, as further described below. Moreover, the one or more motors 44 may be powered by battery and/or an external electrical source and may be suitably lightweight.

The plurality of gears 28-38 may be constructed of any suitably strong, durable and lightweight material, such as a plastic. As shown in FIG. 2B, the plurality of gears 28-38 may be coplanar. An electric motor 44 may be coupled to gear 34, while another electric motor 44 may be coupled to gear 38, to rotate the plurality of gears 28-38, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2A, which may include rotating gears 28 and 30 in opposite directions. The one or more motors 44 and the plurality of gears 28-38 may be selected such that when driver 18 operates, gears 28 and 30 may each complete one revolution within a period of time in the range of approximately one-half second to approximately ten seconds.

In operational testing of system 10A, a pair of motors 44 has been employed, each motor 44 removed from a respective Black and Decker trimmer-edger known as the “Grass Hog GH 600,” which may be powered by a source that may provide approximately 120 volts and 4.8 amperes to rotate the motor axis up to approximately 9500 rotations per minute, at full power. Operational testing of system 10A has also employed gears 34-38 of a first diameter, e.g., approximately one-half inch, and gears 28 and 30 of a second diameter, e.g., five inches, providing a gear ratio between gears 34-38 and gears 28 and 30 of approximately 10:1. Operational testing of system 10A has also employed gears 34-38 of a first diameter, e.g., approximately one-half inch, and gear 32 of a second diameter, e.g., one and a half inches, providing a gear ratio between gears 34-38 and gear 32 of approximately 3:1.

Gears 28 and 30 may include weighted portions 40 and 42, which may be of approximately equal weight, such as a weight in the range of 0.1 pounds to 2.5 pounds, or more. Weighted portion 40 may comprise any material that may create a localized or concentrated region of weight on gear 28 at weighted portion 40. Similarly, weighted portion 42 may comprise any material that may create a localized or concentrated region of weight on gear 30 at weighted portion 42. For example, weighted portions 40 and 42 may comprise a metal, a dense rubber or composite, or any other material that may create a localized or concentrated region of weight on their respective gears 28 and 30. Weighted portions 40 and 42 may be coupled to their respective gears 28 and 30 during and/or after fabrication of gears 28 and 30. Weighted portions 40 and 42 may be fixedly coupled to their respective gears 28 and 30, or be removable, such that weighted portions 40 and 42 may be adjustable. For example, weighted portions 40 and 42 may be removable and replaceable by a user, who wishes to insert for each weighted portion 40 and 42 a different weight (although both weighted portions 40 and 42 are typically the same approximate weight) to achieve desired operational characteristics for one or more of systems 10A-10C.

The one or more motors 44 and plurality of gears 28-38 may operate to rotate gears 28 and 30 and their respective weighted portions 40 and 42, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, which depict one complete rotation of gears 28 and 30 and their respective weighted portions 40 and 42. FIGS. 3B and 3D show weighted portions 40 and 42 “in phase,” meaning that for a given moment in time, weighted portions 40 and 42 are located at approximately the same relative position on their respective travel paths. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, both weighted portions 40 and 42 are located at approximately the same relative position on their respective travel paths, e.g., on the bottom of their respective travel paths on gears 28 and 30. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3D, both weighted portions 40 and 42 are located at approximately the same relative position on their respective travel paths, e.g., on the top of their respective travel paths on gears 28 and 30. At all other times during rotation of gears 28 and 30, weighted portions 40 and 42 may be “out of phase,” meaning that for a given moment in time, weighted portions 40 and 42 are not located at approximately the same relative position on their respective travel paths.

When weighted portions 40 and 42 are approximately equal in weight and rotated in opposite directions with the phase arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, lateral force, i.e., force that is not substantially along the one or more supporters 16, that may be generated due to rotation of weighted portion 40 may cancel opposing lateral force that may be generated due to rotation of weighted portion 42. Thus, when weighted portions 40 and 42 are approximately equal in weight and rotated in opposite directions with the phase arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, the net lateral force may be negligible and driver 18 may provide the oscillating force, namely upward and downward forces (respectively “F_(up)” and “F_(down)”), as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3C and 3E, substantially along the one or more supporters 16. An imaginary line extending from the top position of weighted portion 40, as shown in FIG. 3D, to the bottom position of weighted portion 40, as shown in FIG. 3B, may be substantially parallel to a vector for the oscillating force, e.g., F_(up) and/or F_(down). Similarly, an imaginary line extending from the top position of weighted portion 42, as shown in FIG. 3D, to the bottom position of weighted portion 42, as shown in FIG. 3B, may be substantially parallel to a vector for the oscillating force, e.g., F_(up) and/or F_(down).

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, the displacement of driver 18 may be along an axis that may be substantially along the one or more supporters 16. In FIG. 3A, driver 18 may be located between a maximum upward position and a maximum downward position, e.g., approximately half way between the two maximums, and may generate an upward force F_(up) substantially along the one or more supporters 16. In FIG. 3B, driver 18 may be located along its vertical displacement track at a maximum upward position and may generate a net force substantially along the one or more supporters 16 that may be negligible. In FIG. 3C, driver 18 may be located between a maximum upward position and a maximum downward position, e.g., approximately half way between the two maximums, and may generate a downward force F_(down) substantially along the one or more supporters 16. In FIG. 3D, driver 18 may be located along its vertical displacement track at a maximum downward position and may generate a net force substantially along the one or more supporters 16 that may be negligible. In FIG. 3E, driver 18 may be located between a maximum upward position and a maximum downward position, e.g., approximately half way between the two maximums, and may generate an upward force F_(up) substantially along the one or more supporters 16.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Driver 18, for example, may comprise any structure that is a variation of the embodiment of driver 18 depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B or a completely different type of driver, as long as it may provide oscillating force along the one or more elastic supporters 16. Thus, in a variation of the embodiment of driver 18 depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, one could employ a single motor 44 coupled to any of gears 32-38. Alternatively, one could envision driver 18 employing gears 28 and 30 (with their respective weighted portions 40 and 42) directly driven by a respective motor 44, thus eliminating gears 32-38. 

1. A system for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a provided position, the system comprising: an elastic supporter for suspending the provided baby container from the provided position; and an electromechanical driver for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the driver is coupled between the provided position and the provided baby container.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the driver is coupled below the provided baby container.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastic supporter comprises a plurality of elastic supporters.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the driver comprises one or more motors and a plurality of gears coupled to the one or more motors.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein a first of the plurality of gears includes a first weighted portion and a second of the plurality of gears includes a second weighted portion.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the one or more motors rotates the plurality of gears such that the first weighted portion is in phase with the second weighted portion at two times during one complete rotation of the first of the plurality of gears and the second of the plurality of gears.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein a line extending from a first position of the first weighted portion when located at a first of the two times to a second position of the first weighted portion when located at a second of the two times is substantially parallel to a vector for the oscillating force.
 9. The system of claim 6 wherein a complete rotation of the first and the second of the plurality of gears occurs in an approximate range of time between one half second and ten seconds, inclusively
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the oscillating force causes the provided baby container to move in an up-and-down motion.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the up-and-down motion provides a displacement of the provided baby container in an approximate range of between one and forty inches, inclusively.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the provided baby container may be used to contain a baby in a vehicle.
 13. A system for moving a provided baby, the system comprising: a baby container for containing the provided baby; an elastic supporter for suspending the baby container from a provided position; and an electromechanical driver for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the driver is coupled between the provided position and the baby container.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the driver is coupled below the baby container.
 16. The system of claim 13 wherein the elastic supporter comprises a plurality of elastic supporters.
 17. The system of claim 13 wherein the driver comprises one or more motors and a plurality of gears coupled to the one or more motors.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein a first of the plurality of gears includes a first weighted portion and a second of the plurality of gears includes a second weighted portion.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the one or more motors rotates the plurality of gears such that the first weighted portion is in phase with the second weighted portion at two times during one complete rotation of the first of the plurality of gears and the second of the plurality of gears.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein a line extending from a first position of the first weighted portion when located at a first of the two times to a second position of the first weighted portion when located at a second of the two times is substantially parallel to a vector for the oscillating force.
 21. The system of claim 18 wherein a complete rotation of the first and the second of the plurality of gears occurs in an approximate range of time between one half second and ten seconds, inclusively
 22. The system of claim 13 wherein the oscillating force causes the baby container to move in an up-and-down motion.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein the up-and-down motion provides a displacement of the provided baby container in an approximate range of between one and forty inches, inclusively.
 24. A system for moving a provided baby, the system comprising: a baby container for containing the provided baby; a support structure including a position from which the baby container is suspended above ground; an elastic supporter for suspending the baby container from the position; and an electromechanical driver for providing oscillating force along the elastic supporter.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the driver is coupled between the position and the baby container.
 26. The system of claim 24 wherein the driver is coupled below the baby container.
 27. The system of claim 24 wherein the elastic supporter comprises a plurality of elastic supporters.
 28. The system of claim 24 wherein the driver comprises one or more motors and a plurality of gears coupled to the one or more motors.
 29. The system of claim 28 wherein a first of the plurality of gears includes a first weighted portion and a second of the plurality of gears includes a second weighted portion.
 30. The system of claim 29 wherein the one or more motors rotates the plurality of gears such that the first weighted portion is in phase with the second weighted portion at two times during one complete rotation of the first of the plurality of gears and the second of the plurality of gears.
 31. The system of claim 30 wherein a line extending from a first position of the first weighted portion when located at a first of the two times to a second position of the first weighted portion when located at a second of the two times is substantially parallel to a vector for the oscillating force.
 32. The system of claim 29 wherein a complete rotation of the first and the second of the plurality of gears occurs in an approximate range of time between one half second and ten seconds, inclusively
 33. The system of claim 24 wherein the oscillating force causes the baby container to move in an up-and-down motion.
 34. The system of claim 33 wherein the up-and-down motion provides a displacement of the baby container in an approximate range of between one and forty inches, inclusively.
 35. A method for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a provided position, the method comprising: suspending the provided baby container from the provided position with an elastic supporter; and providing from an electromechanical driver oscillating force along the elastic supporter. 